L.A. Called Lock for Democrats’ 2000 Convention

Los Angeles has emerged as “the overwhelming favorite” to host the 2000 Democratic National Convention, party sources said, as Republican Party officials on Thursday picked Philadelphia as the site for its gathering.

Philadelphia had been a leading contender for the Democratic convention, but that city’s officials immediately withdrew their bid after becoming the GOP choice. This, in turn, boosted Los Angeles’ prospects, which already were strong.

“Philadelphia was clear and away the main rival, and this leaves Los Angeles as the overwhelming favorite,” said a highly placed Democrat familiar with the party’s decision-making on the convention site.

Democrats remain somewhat disappointed by the amount of financial support Los Angeles offered in its bid for the convention, and they are still negotiating with the city. But the party sources said they expect to reach agreement and ultimately bring the convention to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles pledged $35.3 million in cash and services in return for hosting the event, expected to bring 30,000 visitors and add $137 million to the local economy.

While no decision has been made, a White House aide who is privy to the Democratic deliberations said, “I’d be shocked if it wasn’t Los Angeles.”

California the Cornerstone

Vote-rich California is the indispensable cornerstone of the modern Democratic presidential coalition, especially after the party’s huge victories there this week.

Democratic Gov.-elect Gray Davis and Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer, who was reelected Tuesday, and Dianne Feinstein would be showcased during a Los Angeles-based convention.

Philadelphia was picked for the GOP convention by the Republican National Committee’s site selection committee. The full committee is expected to ratify a contractual agreement with the city at its annual winter meeting in January.

“The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall will make a compelling backdrop for nominating a president and promoting our party’s vision for a better America,” Republican Chairman Jim Nicholson said in announcing the decision.

Plans call for the GOP convention to convene during the week of July 29. The Democratic conclave would follow in August; no specific date has been selected.

The Republicans chose Philadelphia because it offered “great facilities, superior hotel accommodations, strong financing and countless activities for our delegates and their families,” said Jan Larimer, chairman of the party’s site selection committee.

Other finalists were Indianapolis, New Orleans, New York and San Antonio.

Los Angeles officials were delighted with the news that their main competitor is out of the race.

“It should just be a slam dunk for Los Angeles now,” said Roz Wyman, who serves on the national Democratic site selection team. “I loved Tuesday [for the election results] and now I love Thursday [for the Republican announcement].”

Democratic National Chairmen Roy Romer and Steve Grossman said in a prepared statement that Philadelphia’s withdrawal leaves the party with “the enviable, if difficult, task of choosing from a group of six exceptional American cities.”

Denver, Boston, Miami, New Orleans and Minneapolis remain in the running along with Los Angeles.

Field to Be Narrowed

The party’s site selection committee will officially narrow the field to three or four when it meets in Washington next week.

The panel is expected to keep Denver and Boston in the mix, in deference to Romer, Colorado’s outgoing governor, and Grossman, who is from Boston, Democratic sources said. The final decision will be made in December or January.

Beginning several months ago, a coalition of often-warring politicians, business leaders and entertainment industry executives joined forces as LA2000 to push for the convention.

Under the proposal presented to Democrats, the private group would be responsible for most of the convention’s local costs but the city would contribute security and transportation valued at about $6 million, as well as free space in its downtown convention center.

“There are a lot of [selection] committee members who are very impressed with Los Angeles,” said a Democrat close to the selection process. “The facilities are spectacular,” particularly at the convention center and the Staples Center under construction next door.

The convention itself would be held in the new, privately owned sports arena, which is expected to be completed next year.

Vice President Al Gore, who has a significant stake in the convention site as the front-runner for the 2000 presidential nomination, is playing a major behind-the-scenes role in the selection process.

Philadelphia’s prospects had been aided by Gore’s friendship with Mayor Ed Rendell; Gore also has ties to various Los Angeles leaders.

Gore has been to the Golden State, with its 54 electoral votes, more than 45 times during his tenure as vice president. He visited the state 11 times in the recent election cycle alone and campaigned for each of the Democratic statewide candidates.

A Los Angeles convention would underscore some of the themes that Gore’s candidacy is expected to emphasize, a Democratic advisor said.

“Having a convention in California allows you to showcase the role of Latinos in America in addition to California’s high-tech industry, which is really leading America’s economy into the future,” he said.

“Los Angeles is the future of the Democratic Party,” said Lucy McCoy, director of the city’s convention host committee. “After Tuesday’s elections, we were all pretty excited because the scales were tipped in our direction.”

But, she added: “We’re cautiously optimistic. It’s not over yet.”

Times staff writer Beth Shuster in Los Angeles contributed to this story.